A Prayer for Conviction from the Holy Spirit
By Greg Laurie
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9
Some people say that guilt is a horrible thing. In reality, guilt is a design God has put in our souls. It is similar to the pain we feel in our bodies when something is wrong. If I’m walking down the street barefoot and step on a piece of broken glass, a signal goes through my body, saying, “Red alert! Don’t step any further!” The pain effectively warns me that more pain is coming unless I stop.
In the same way, when we experience guilt, our conscience says, “Warning! Don’t do that.” That is the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
When someone who claims to be a Christian can live in sin without sensing it, then something is seriously wrong. I know we aren’t perfect. I know we all fall short of the glory of God. But there is a difference between stumbling unintentionally and being sorry for it and living in habitual, continual sin without any pangs of conscience, guilt, or remorse.
If this is happening in your life, then it means your conscience is being “seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2). As the Bible says in Hebrews 12, “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” (verse 7). In other words, if you are a child of God, when you begin to cross the line, the Holy Spirit will be there to say, “No, don’t do that.”
That very conviction is a reminder that you are a child of God. So rejoice when you feel guilt. Thank God for guilt.
If you can live in sin without any guilt or remorse, then one must question whether you are a child of God. Throw on the brakes if this is happening to you.
Righteous Lord, you are the King of our hearts, but the heart is deceitful above all else. Help us to discern your will, and teach us to walk forever in your ways. Heavenly Father, teach us to be sensitive to the prodding of your Spirit. When we have strayed, return us to your path, just as a shepherd does with his sheep. Amen.
*Editor’s Note: The following is an abridged version of Thank God for Guilt by Greg Laurie. To read the full article, follow this link.
Related Resource: 5 Things Parents Need to Tell Their Kids About War Right Now
When war dominates the headlines, parents are left asking an important question: How do we talk to our kids about it? In this episode of March or Die, Jeremy Stalnecker shares practical and biblical principles for guiding young people through confusing and frightening global events.
Drawing from his experience as a Marine who lived through the wars following 9/11, Jeremy explains why moments of global conflict can become powerful opportunities for parents to teach their children about courage, faith, and moral clarity. Rather than avoiding difficult conversations, parents can use them to help their kids understand fear, the reality of evil in the world, and the responsibility we have to stand for what is right.
This conversation explores how parents can alleviate fear, explain why conflict exists, and demonstrate a faith-filled response when the world seems chaotic. Jeremy also discusses the importance of teaching children the difference between necessary and unnecessary violence, why standing against evil matters, and how faith in God provides stability even in uncertain times. If this episode of March or Die helped your spiritual perspective, be sure to follow the show on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Friday, 27 December 2019.
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